Merci, Monsieur le President. I have been pushing for some time for a public review of GNWT's failing climate strategy which is really three separate and uncoordinated programs. These are environment and climate changes' climate change strategic framework, infrastructure's 2030 energy strategy, and finance's carbon tax.
As one of the final gasps during the current phase of the climate crisis, GNWT staff put on a three-day conference attended by about 150 participants in July. I want to give credit for the large gathering as there was a diverse set of interests and participants from all parts of the NWT and various sectors of the economy and voluntary sector. There was lots of good people at the conference, but I am not sure what will come out of the other end for the next Legislative Assembly and Cabinet. I am hoping that the next government takes the climate emergency much more seriously and puts in place legislation that will establish clear leadership and priorities.
I have continued to hear people say they don't understand GNWT's carbon tax, where the money goes and whether it is actually working. Persistent questions were also raised about our antiquated net metering approach and caps on renewable energy use in communities. The role of and governance at the NWT Power Corporation remains a lively source of discussion.
The GNWT's approach to climate change is failing again so here's some free advice for my Cabinet colleagues: We need a declaration that there is a climate emergency. The current forest fires might even convince Cabinet that climate change is an emergency now. We need legislation to back that up where one department is in charge and coordinates a whole-of-government approach. Integrated public reporting is needed, not three separate and disparate reports. We must focus on community-based energy solutions, not mega projects with no investors and no public support. And make the NWT Power Corporation part of the solution, not part of the problem, as it shifts to building energy self-sufficiency and doing itself out of a job with public governance. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.